The film’s story takes place in the near future, when the newly-formed “Godom Empire” is threatening to take over the world by using advanced technology offered to them by Leika Chan, the mysterious female president of a trading company. The protagonist of the film, Sho Shishimaru, is the one man who has the “mystical technology” that can stop the Godom Empire. After being hunted down by the Empire, Sho is saved by mysterious Indians monks, who tell him about a prophecy about the rebirth of Buddha.

The film is an adaptation of a book by Ryuho Okawa, the founder of the controversial religious organization Happy Science (Kōfuku no Kagaku). The publishing arm of the organization produced the animated film alongside a live-action film adaptation of Okawa’s Final Judgement. The group has sponsored a number of animated films in the past

Oh look, it’s the same weekend as Hyper Japan! It’s a good excuse for a pre-Friday outing then…

I spotted posters advertising the screening on the underground, so it’s safe to assume it’s going ahead even though there are no screening times yet. I suggest you check the Odeon Panton Street or Anime News Network websites for updates.

The internet seems to describe this film as a ‘religious anime’ and, with an organisation name like ‘Happy Science’, it’s probably going to be weird… Hopefully the good kind.

Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro, Saturday 8 December @ 2-6pm

A flamboyant thief and his gang struggle to free a princess from an evil count’s clutches and to learn the hidden secret to a fabulous treasure that she holds part of a key to.

First 30 people to arrive get free popcorn! No, really. You can also enter a raffle to win the blu-ray box set of the film. If you know anything about anime, it should be that Lupin is a classic series and so this is a pretty great prize.

This is the third of the ‘Mayamada presents’ anime screenings, an original anime-inspired clothing brand. There will even be a pop-up gift store at the event, so it’s a great chance to get some Christmas presents (for you or your friends)!

If you know of any other Japanese film screenings taking place in the UK, drop me an email at sopihesjapanblogATlive.co.uk and I’ll get it up. Next week’s post (or even posts) will be Hyper Japan-centric, with some extra treats thrown in!